Big Muff Pi Versions: clarification

[sshrugg]

I found this awesome page by psst:

http://www.pisotones.com/BigMuffPi/psst/BMP_versions.htm

It seems to have everything you'd need to know to build all of the Big Muff Pi variants except for a couple of things.

Transistor types are not specified for all of them, and diodes are not listed either.

I've built the third edition, using silicon diodes.  1N914.  Is this true to the original?  I'm just curious.  I understand a lot of this stuff is personal preference, and sometimes not even noticable, but I've decided I would like to build all the Big Muffs.

I've heard that the current American Reissue has schottky diodes.  Is this true?

Anyway - I was hoping forum users could help fill in the gaps.

EDIT:  if we figure this stuff out, I'll probably send an email to psst so he can add it to his excellent page if he would like.

[LMJS]

Check the websites like General Guitar Gadgets and Build Your Own Clone.
You can download the complete schematics for all versions and then do an A/B comparison with the Pisotones ones.

[sshrugg]

General Guitar Gadgets says that the 2N5088 transistor is the original part used in every schematic.  It also calls for a 1N914 for all of them.  I think this is only correct for the 3rd edition, referred to as the "Late 70's version" on GGG.

The other sites list them as follows:

Psst
BYOC
Both

Triangle (NPN version)
NPN Transistors:
2N5133
Diodes: 1N914

Ram's Head
PNP Transistors:
2N5087
BC 239C
Diodes: 1N914

Violet Ram's Head
NPN Transistors:
FS36999
Diodes: ?

Green Russian
Transistors: ?
Diodes: ?

I only bothered listing the ones that were discussed on GGG or BYOC as well as Psst's site.  I am interested in identifying parts for the other versions.

Psst and BYOC do not aggree on the transistors used in the Ram's Head version.  Are there possibly two different Ram's Head Muffs?

The more I look into this, the more I'm told "it's just one of those crazy things.  Forget the originals - find a part, and plug it in.  That's what EHX did"

[drewl]

my original PI version has 5088's FWIW.

[Mark Hammer]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=72665.0

[SonicVI]

My ram's head has 2n5133's

Also, I seriously doubt that the color of the print has anything to do with the circuit whatsoever.

[sshrugg]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=72665.0

I was wondering if it would come down to that.  Looks like we just keep making these with whatever specs.  Experiment to our hearts content, because there is no definitive "muff sound"

[theehman]

Here's what I've seen:

Triangle
fs36999
fs37000 (PNP)
2N5133
SPT87103


Ram
fs36999
fs37000 (PNP)
2N5133
BC239C

Later versions
2N5088

I'm compiling a list of Big Muff changes if you want to contribute.  You can see the list at: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pTetstfShqXZ7OehI8JAOEg&hl=en

[SonicVI]

Here's what I've seen:

Triangle
fs36999
fs37000 (PNP)
2N5133
SPT87103


Ram
fs36999
fs37000 (PNP)
2N5133
BC239C

Later versions
2N5088

I'm compiling a list of Big Muff changes if you want to contribute.  You can see the list at: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pTetstfShqXZ7OehI8JAOEg&hl=en

I've seen 2n5088 and 2n5087's in ram's head's.

[Mose Varty-Seppanen]

Hmmm, my Ram's Head has 5088s. It's good but it's not quite the Big Muff sound I have in my head.

[theehman]

Hmmm, my Ram's Head has 5088s. It's good but it's not quite the Big Muff sound I have in my head.

Could you send some more info about your Big Muff? Pot codes and a pic of the top would suffice.

[Mose Varty-Seppanen]

Hmmm, my Ram's Head has 5088s. It's good but it's not quite the Big Muff sound I have in my head.

Could you send some more info about your Big Muff? Pot codes and a pic of the top would suffice.

Sure. I'll get onto  it ASAP.

[Mose Varty-Seppanen]

Ron, here y'go. Thanks for the EH Man website, by the way. It's interesting stuff.








The code on the pots is 1377508   XM2184
The Transistors are marked F2N5088
The big green ceramic 0.1mf caps are marked AEC
It has dakaware pointer style knobs.

Hope this is helpful.

[sshrugg]

Yay! Now this thread is getting spiffy

[theehman]

Ron, here y'go. Thanks for the EH Man website, by the way. It's interesting stuff.

The code on the pots is 1377508   XM2184
The Transistors are marked F2N5088
The big green ceramic 0.1mf caps are marked AEC
It has dakaware pointer style knobs.

Hope this is helpful.

Extremely helpful!  Thanks for the pics.  I traced out one of those boards the other day and I could just about draw out a schematic from your pics, except for a couple of resistors that are a bit difficult to read.  I would appreciate info from other people as well.  The more I can document, the more accurate of a timeline I can generate to show changes.

I need the following info: board number, latest pot code, knob style, and details (transistors, switch, etc).  A small pic of the case top would also be helpful.

[Skreddy]

I've seen a couple of "rams head" Big Muffs with 2N8087 (pnp) transistors, too.

[Electric Warrior]

fs36999 in my ram's head. and many electrolytics....

[Kit Rae]

I have circuit board pix and transistor types listed on my Big Muff pages here.
http://www.kitrae.net/music/big_muff_history.html